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Divorce/separation

Here you'll find divorce help and support from other Mners. For legal advice, you may find Advice Now guides useful.

It’s really happening

12 replies

Purplejay · 05/05/2018 14:12

My husband has left and it doesn’t feel real. We have been married 15 years, together 18 years. We have an 11 yo son.

About 2 months ago I found out he had been having an affair. He went out one night with her and got stuck out due to bad weather, when He didn’t come home I searched his ipad and found emails with a woman, friendly at first, even talking about our marriage and her giving him advice but soon it turned into more. He finally text in the early morning and when he got home I told him what I had found and that I was done with him.

He said he thought we were over as we argue a lot, haven’t had sex for ages etc. All true. I havn’t been happy for ages and this was compounded recently by him going out more, being late home, being longer than planned or was usual and being out of contact. This had been going on for a couple of months, since they got more friendly. I hadn’t given up though. We have had bad patches before and come through them.

I found out a week or so before we were due to go on holiday at Easter so we decided to go anyway. The build up was horrible, she was obviously panicking about him going away and wanted him to spend most evenings with her. We were probably mad to go but I didn’t want to loose the money or disappoint ds who at that point was unaware.

Travelling we were super polite to each other and started to get on really well. We couldn’t keep our hands off each other which I couldn’t understand at the time but have read about since. We talked a lot, cried a lot it felt like death but by the end of the holiday we were going to try to work things out and he was going to tell her it was over.

He went to see her and couldn’t do it, stayed out until early hours while I was just falling apart. Since then he is still saying he wants to be with me but is struggling we are very different blah blah. He wanted to be ‘friends’ with her I said no way. He said they would have no contact but I kept catching him out. Brief messages and some calls. When again I came to the end of my patience and gave him an ultimatum he text her in my presence to say he wanted no further contact. He kept his phone and ipad locked though which I wasn’t happy about but that aside, we had a lovely weekend after that and I thought that was it. He seemed relieved to have told her and said she wasn’t right for him.

The sunday night he ‘popped out’ and was gone over 2 hours when I rang and he didn’t answer. He seemed surprised I was concerned. I don’t think he had snook off to see OW just being thoughtless. Monday and Tuesday he was sad and cool with me, we had been texting in the day but this stopped. He said he missed her. Wednesday he was in a foul mood and we had a row. Thursday he went to a gig (he was meant to go with her, then she decided not to go so he had a call from a friend of theirs (?!) to see if he wanted her ticket! He text me at work to say he was going. He said he would be back mid morning. When I text back, no answer. A few unanswered texts later and I was beside myself and by morning felt so ill I rang work and took a days leave. He didn’t show until after lunch. He took no charger and his phone went flat. He hid his ipad befoe he left which I found after trying to face time him (its really loud). God knows what he thought I was going to find on there seeing as it is password locked and notifications are off!

Anyway since then we have been getting on but not really being close and he is still moping and says he loves me but can’t find a happy place. I have run out of patience thinking he should own his choices and if he chooses me should be bending over backwards to make me feel better and not being secretive and miserable and keep bringing her up in conversation.

Anyway Wednesday he said he thought he should go at the weekend. He stayed at a friends thursday and has now taken our Motorhome in the short term to stay in. I don’t think he will contact OW at the moment but suppose he might. Doesn't matter really.

We told DS last night we were separating and he cried and cried. It went reasonably well and we managed to be united and stay calm and explain as best we could. No mention of OW obviously. We both cried too. Before we told him, my H said he loved me and this was crazy and asked if we should say it was a trial but I said no I didn’t think it fair to DS to give hope if it won’t come to anything and besides I can’t just keep waiting around to see if he comes to his senses, not that I am sure I could forgive him anyway. If we had come back from holiday and he had ended it then and been open and thoughtful I think we stood a chance but not with all this wafting back and forth.

After he had gone last night me and DS talked some more and we stayed up late watching tv to take our minds off it. He slept ok but was awake early. We have had more tears and talking and he looks so sad bless him. I feel so awful. I have had so many mixed emotions. There was some relief H has gone and that DS knows but I still love H and will miss him and there is all the false hope of the past few weeks and the what ifs and plans that will never happen.

I really felt for H walking out the door and we have text last night and he has phoned this morning to see how we are. He said he intended it to be a break so he can do some soul searching but now it feels more permanent. I can’t deal with anymore wondering which way he will go.

I am worried about how to tell people, how to help DS, how I am going to deal with everything and yet I know really I am strong, I will make it ok for DS as best I can, I just feel really lost and small and sad. I think I am fine and then from nowhere come tears and I feel overwhelmed. There is lots to think about in terms of DS and finances /stuff and what will happen long term but one step at a time hey.

I guess the key is to keep busy. I am decorating a room this weekend. Just going to rope DS in to help when I have finished my coffee.

Thanks for reading, I know this is long but it helps to write things down.

OP posts:
eve34 · 05/05/2018 17:19

Sorry to hear that you have found yourself here. Change is frightening and after being with someone so long the alternative is completely unknown.

You have been patient enough with his comings and goings. I am not going to say he has gone to ow. I have no way of knowing that but after years of reading these threads and my own experience men don't go to be alone. Why would you walk away from someone you love your family and your home and all its comforts. I hope I am wrong in that front.

Anything he says take with a pinch of salt. My ex left saying he loved me and I was his go to person whilst seeing ow for few months behind my back. Lying. Stealing and being deceitful. It was lip service in his case. Trying to ensure we remain friends and be there for me to ease his guilt. I did not and have not allowed him to have that luxury.

Look after yourself. Get all paper work together and copy what ever you think might be useful. Tell people. Talk to people. And get professional support if you need it. He might be playing nicely now, but at some point it might not be. So have all the information you think you might need further down the line.
Take each day as it comes. It will get easier but some days will feel never ending.

Megthehen · 05/05/2018 18:18

Hug your DS and tell him you love him - you obviously do. Perhaps your DH can get over himself enough to find time for your DS? You need help from him - the other adult (?) to support and reassure your son. For you and your son FlowersFootball

Purplejay · 05/05/2018 23:01

Hi both, thank you for your replies and help

I was thinking I might start a diary or make some notes. What happened when began to blur as I wrote my post.

We did some painting and DS seems a little better. We have had some hugs. He has spoken to his friends on xbox (not said anything about this to them yet) and to H. Both of us are in bed now,. Had takeaway tea. I seem to be dealing with questions as they pop up even if it is to say I am not sure yet. We had holidays planned etc which will need a rethink. I have taken DS away on my own before so that part at least isn’t all that daunting. Going abroard might be.

H will probably call in for some things and to see DS tomorrow or Monday. The plan is that he will be here for DS (or take him out/to an activily) after school from Tues and I will take over when i get home (or pick him up).

OP posts:
eve34 · 06/05/2018 08:25

Just take it as it comes. Don't try to plan to far ahead. It sounds like you are doing all the right things. I would strongly suggest that contact is not in your home. It seems the right thing to do. But I found it very difficult to play happy families. But do what is right for you and you son.

Purplejay · 06/05/2018 16:45

He has been round to drop the dogs off and pick up some bits... now gone off to a bbq apparently. Didn’t ask where. Still wondering...

Floored me a bit seeing him but don’t feel any worse now. DS was pleased to see him (tho soon went back to xbox).

Done some more painting but have to keep having a break as it’s swealtering!

Contact needs to be here in the week as H is self emp and has an office here. He is also main dog walker as well as here for DS after school Plan is for this to continue for now and I will be out while he is here for the most part. Will just have to see how it goes.

How goes your weekends?

OP posts:
eve34 · 06/05/2018 18:13

Glad to hear you are doing ok. I had ok weekend. Getting in the swing of making plans and also actually just sitting and relaxing. I have never actually done nothing and watched Netflix.
It helps that i now have a few single friends. So have people to make plans with. Even if it is just a cuppa for an hour. It breaks the day up.
Hope that you have a chilled out day tomorrow. Long may the sunshine

Purplejay · 07/05/2018 23:19

Just thinking about school tomorrow. Did you tell the school when you separated. DS hasn’t told anyone yet and isn’t sure if he wants to tell his friends straight away. How did you/your kids deal with this. DS walks to school with friends now so I can’t go in without making it a big thing. He would be embarassed. A note doesn’t seem enough. Maybe I will phone them. Just feel they should be in the loop. Especially as DS is worried he might cry and it is sats next week which I feel awful about.

DS for the most part has been ok over the weekend. A few tears tonight but thats worrying about school as well as seeing his dad only briefly. He sys its hard seeing us together (i think and he means acting odd). Ihope he tells his friends as I think it will help and a couple of them do have separated parents tho not recent.

I am struggling today. Not looking forward to work. Still haven’t told anyone. Will probably text a couple of friends in the next couple of days. Don’t know how to approach work. I am not a big announcement kind of person. Yet if you tell a couple of people, i gets passed on then some know and some don’t. Might tell a couple of people and keep quiet for the rest for now.

OP posts:
eve34 · 08/05/2018 07:28

I would give School a ring and let them know. My son is in year six. And this has really knocked him. School have been very supportive and understanding.

As for work do what you feel comfortable with. Maybe send an e mail to your line manager. I hVe to be honest my work did suffer and it was better they were aware

It is good you can still talk to him. I won't have my ex in the house although he had done some terrible things in the last few months he was here and if he wasn't the children's father I would never have contact with him again. He lied. Cheated stole and the ultimate betrayal from the one person who should of never let us get to this point. I wouldn't of given up on us. But he found younger model so there was no going back for him. Now I am a few month down the line I do now appreciate the children and I deserve much better.

Hope today goes smoothly for you.

Purplejay · 08/05/2018 23:07

Hi eve, thanks for replying. My son is in yr 6 also. He was a little reluctant to get ready for school this morning but went off ok in the end. I phoned the business manager who was lovely, said I had done the right thing and she would go and tell his class teacher. When I put the phone down I sat and sobbed. Then pulled myself together and went to work. Haven’t told anyone else yet. I don’t have any close family. Just cousins and aunts/uncles I rarely see. My parents are both gone. Had a positive day at work thougwhich is good. I have been a distracted mess inside thse past few weeks and it feels like that is clearing. While I am upset, the turmoil is less if that makes sense.

H was here tonight when I got back but not for long. It was good to see him spend time with DS but it feels hard to see him. Like I want to chat but don’t at the same time. He wasn’t hanging about so that made me wonder where/what/who. He said he would stay away from OW but I doubt that will last long and can’t help but wonder. Just have to try not to think about it. I won’t see him now until Thursday. DS is going to a friends after school tomorrow and then a sport club which I will collect him from after work.

OP posts:
eve34 · 09/05/2018 06:46

Good to hear you have had a productive day. Work is a good distraction. But just be kind to yourself.

Do you have any friends near by. I use to say I didn't have any friends. Just people I know. This showed me otherwise. I leaned on one or two people who were excellent sounding boards. Nothing changed but it helped to just get it out.

It is good that School is aware. And can keep an eye on ds. And offer him support if needs be.

I have to say I found being normal around ex really hard. Don't do anything your uncomfortable with. Mine wanted to be friends. To help ease his guilt. So he could tell people. Look I'm being supportive etc. It was all a front and for show. if he actual cared he wouldn't of let us get to this.
For me he had done so much I had to go as no contact as possible. And he hates that I have stood my ground on this.
I hope today is another good day for you.

Headupshouldersback · 09/05/2018 14:34

It’s very hard when life as you know it suddenly gets hit by a grenade and you’re left trying to make sense of it all.
This relationship does sound as if it’s over for good.
I’m sure it’s hard to let go of your husband, especially as you have invested a lot of years in this relationship and you have a son together but he has feelings elsewhere and you need to focus on you and your son’s future now.
You will be ok in time but it’s bound to be very raw at the moment.
Take good care of yourself, talk to friends, make sure you eat well, get out and get some fresh air, keep busy.
In a couple of years I’m sure you will all be in a much happier place x

lifebegins50 · 09/05/2018 20:40

I think you have done the right thing in making your H move out.The longer he dithers the less he will respect you.

I suspect he will regret his choice as grass is not often greener and the novelty will wear off.
I feel your pain for your son.In his own time he will tell his friend but first he needs to adjust to the difference.Telling my dc was worst day of my life.

Start to take control over finances, ideally get some agreement and preferably whilst H is feeling guilty...it often doesn't last!

Do you own your house? Could you release equity to give ex a share? Have you considered tax credits and CMS?
Are there pensions/savings?

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